What This Course Is

POLS 150 Democracy in America
studies American political and social institutions primarily through the
political thought, writings and speeches of three categories of people: 1) the
nation’s founders and the framers of the Declaration of Independence and
the U.S. Constitution whose work structures the political controversies
reappearing through subsequent generations; 2) office holders who bore
responsibility for dealing with these controversies and who both changed and
preserved constitutional institutions and democratic thought and practice; and
3) the influential non-office holders whose thought helped shape public
opinion, social change and law and whose thought provided insight into both the
goodness and badness of American democracy.Among the latter, Tocqueville’s commentary, still (160 years after its
publication) commonly regarded as the best ever written, gives this course its
name and spirit.

Why a Constitutional and Democratic
Focus?

Emphasis is placed on the Constitution
because, as the central legitimating symbol of American political life,
citizens need to understand how it frames political controversy and how it
influences political and social change.To that end, we will study important debates concerning both democratic
institutions and the meaning of liberty and equality from the
Founding until now.Such debates include
whether we needed a national government and how the framers thought it could be
kept from being oppressive; disputes about what political/economic conditions
make American democracy possible; successive waves of controversies about
whether the suffrage (voting rights) should be expanded; about whether
the Founders’ Constitution was democratic; about whether it was a slave or a
free Constitution; about whether it recognized the humanity of the Negro, as
African-Americans were then called; about whether the national government
should regulate the economy and provide welfare; disputes about what democratic
representation is; whether separation of powers prevents democracy or makes it
possible; whether religion is an indispensable political institution or a
persistent political problem; what makes one a citizen; what law-abidingness
means and whether it is or is not a duty; and the relation of women to democratic
government and society.

The persistent and over-arching
theme of the class will be the disputed question “what is
democracy”?In keeping with its disputed
nature, we will study a range of opposing answers.Considerable attention will be given to the perennial
dispute about whether democracy, in the most humanly relevant and ennobling
sense, is possible primarily through local institutions (as maintained in the
American political tradition by the anti-Federalists and Tocqueville); or
whether it is possible primarily through national institutions (as maintained
generally by the Progressives, the New Deal, and the Great Society).This dispute turns on whether democracy is
understood to involve (or be) primarily “self government” in that oneself and one’s
neighbors are primarily responsible for solving the day to day problems of
living together (as the Jeffersonian tradition down to the Republican contract
with America maintains); or whether democracy is understood to involve (or be)
a greater degree of national-level government to regulate the nation’s economy
in order to promote “economic democracy” and secure rights (as the Hamiltonian
tradition down to modern “civil liberties” and “civil rights” maintains).

Both this over-arching theme and
the nature of the readings present a distinctive approach to American democracy
and government.The approach is
historical, cultural, and philosophic, particularly emphasizing the mutual
interdependence of governmental and social institutions.It is further distinguished by its purpose
which (unlike POLS 100) is not specifically to introduce students to the
sub-field of American politics, or even to the
political science major/minor (although it does that).It is aimed at all students whether or not
they enter the course intending further study of political science.Its aim is deepening citizen’s
understanding and awareness of persistent issues, arguments, and themes
of American democracy’s development.

Required Texts and Readings

A
POLS 150 Reading Packet. (Although
both bookstores have these packets, Village

Peter
Lawler and Robert Schaefer eds. American Political Rhetoric Fifth
Edition.

Rowman & Littlefield, 2004.

* As we will be
reading and referring to particular passages in these texts, it is essential
that each student brings a copy of these editions to every class.

Attendance

Attendance at each class meeting is both expected and
required.Attendance is defined as “being
present when attendance is taken at the beginning of each class and remaining
until class is dismissed.”Please do
not come late to class, as this is both discourteous and disruptive. Students
who come to class after attendance has been taken will be considered absent. If
there are special circumstances regarding this matter, please discuss them with
the instructor as early as possible. Do not schedule doctor appointments, study
groups or anything else during this class period. Leaving early for any reason
will result in the student being counted absent for the day. Do not ask the
instructor if it is “o.k.” to miss class! It is never o.k. to miss class!

Students with extended absences due to illness should notify
the instructor as promptly as possible during the absence and produce
appropriate documentation indicating the nature and duration of the
illness.This note should be provided to
the instructor at the first class upon returning. Absences due to
extracurricular activities are excused only by a letter from the instructor,
professor, coach or coordinator of the activity. Students who need to miss
class due to a funeral must notify the instructor of the days the student will
be absent and the student will present a memorial card from the funeral to the
instructor upon the students return to class.

An excused absence only allows the student to make up
quizzes or tests administered during the absence. An excused absence does not
change the fact that the student has missed a class period. The missed class still
counts as an absence when calculating total absences. Extended absences are
highly discouraged, as they will adversely affect the student’s grade.The student’s final grade will be reduced
half a letter grade for each absence over 5.

Class Participation

Proper participation in class is both required and
rewarded.As this is a course concerning
the discussion of ideas, simple attendance without participating in discussion,
is insufficient.The good student will
not only be present and attentive in class, but will also actively participate
in class discussion by answering questions about the assigned readings, raising
questions, and volunteering thoughtful observations about the material.Proper class participation also requires that
the student behave with proper courtesy and regard for others’ comments.Because most of our classes will involve
reading and discussing passages from the assigned texts, the student should
bring the appropriate readings to each class.Frequent class discussion will foster a classroom environment that will
be far more interesting and rewarding than one in which the instructor simply
lectures every day. Questions posed in class should be written down as they
will be helpful in studying for the quizzes and exams. THERE ARE 500 POSSIBLE POINTS IN THIS
CLASS.

Quizzes 20%

There will be 11 quizzes given throughout the semester.Only 10 of these quizzes will count toward
the student’s final grade.Although the
instructor will drop the student’s lowest quiz score, one should keep in mind
that the remaining ten quizzes comprise 20% of the student’s final grade in the
course. The quizzes will consist of 3-10 short answer questions to be completed at the beginning of class on the
dates specified in the class schedule below.Each quiz will cover the class lectures and
assigned readings from the preceding week as well as readings assigned for the
day of the quiz.Make-up quizzes will be
given only with adequate documentation that the absence was unavoidable.The make-up quizzes will be significantly
more difficult than the original.It is
in the student’s best interest to avoid make-up quizzes if at all possible. The
instructor reserves the right to change the quiz schedule.

100
points.

Papers 20%

There will be 1 short essays (900-1000 words) assigned on
the date specified in the class schedule below.The Essay will be handed in at the beginning of class, two weeks after
the assignment is made, on the due date given in the schedule below.An essay will be accepted up to three
(weekend days included) days after the due date, however, a late essay will be
docked 10 points for each day they are late.The 1000-word limit will be taken seriously.Please provide a word count on the
first page of your essays.Any paper
exceeding the 1000-word limit will be
docked one letter grade.Any
evidence of plagiarism will be treated in accordance with university and
departmental policies and procedures. If a word count is not included the paper
will be docked 10 points.

100
points.

Exams 60%

There will be 2 examinations in this course—a midterm
examination and a comprehensive final examination to be given on the date
assigned by the university. Please see the class schedule below.Students will be expected to bring bluebooks
to both exams. Make-up examinations will be given only with adequate
documentation that the absence was unavoidable.The make-up exams will be significantly more difficult than the
original.It is in the student’s best
interest to avoid make-up exams if at all possible. Students who fail to bring
a blue book to class on the day of the exam will be docked 10 points. Students
are encouraged to form study groups as soon as is possible to study for the
exams. Students should use their quizzes, syllabus and class notes as study
guides for the exams. Each exam is worth 150 points each.

300
points.Grading There are 500 possible
points in this class.

Final course grades are based upon the required written
assignments, quizzes, and exams, as well as the regularity and quality of class
participation, less any penalties due to extended unexcused absences. The
instructor will not give a formal grade for class participation, although he
reserves the right to raise a student’s grade if he judges that student’s
participation to have been exceptionally good.Grades will not be lowered merely for lack of active class
participation.

450-500 = A

400-449 = B

350-399 = C

300-349 = D

299 and less = F

The Department of
Political Science Statement on Academic Integrity

Cheating will not be tolerated in class. There are many
types of cheating. The NIU Undergraduate Catalog states that "Students are
considered to have cheated if they copy the work of another during an
examination or turn in a paper or an assignment written whole or in part by
someone else. Students are guilty of plagiarism, intentional or not, if they
copy materials from books, magazines or other sources without identifying or
acknowledging those sources or if they paraphrase ideas from such sources
without acknowledging them. If any student engages in plagiarism, the student
may be subjected to sanctions ranging from a lowered grade on the assignment to
academic dismissal (following judicial proceedings) at the discretion of the
instructor. If any student aids another student in cheating or engaging in
plagiarism, both students will be held responsible for the behavior."

Appointments

The instructor will make every reasonable effort to be
available to you.If you cannot come
during his scheduled office hours, please e-mail him to schedule a mutually
convenient appointment.His office
number, phone number, and e-mail address are at the beginning of the
syllabus.If you call during his office
hours and are unable to reach him, try to call again after a few minutes.If he is still unavailable, please e-mail him
and he will get back to you promptly.

Undergraduate Writing Awards

The Department of Political Science will
recognize, on an annual basis, outstanding undergraduate papers written in
conjunction with 300-400 level political science courses or directed studies.
Authors do not have to be political science majors or have a particular class
standing. Winners are expected to attend the Department’s spring graduation
ceremony where they will receive a certificate and $50.00. Papers, which can be
submitted by students or faculty, must be supplied in triplicate to a
department secretary by February 28. All copies should have two cover pages –
one with the student’s name and one without the student’s name. Only papers
written in the previous calendar year
can be considered for the award. However, papers completed in the current
spring semester are eligible for the following year’s competition even if the
student has graduated.

Statement Concerning Students with Disabilities

Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, NIU is committed to making reasonable accommodations for persons with
documented disabilities. Those students with disabilities that may have some
impact on their coursework and for which they may require accommodations should
notify the Center for Access-Ability Resources (CAAR) on the fourth floor of
the HealthServicesBuilding. CAAR will assist students in making appropriate
accommodations with course instructors. It is important that CAAR and
instructors be informed of any disability-related needs during the first two
weeks of the semester.

Department of Political Science Web Site

Undergraduates are strongly encouraged to consult
the Department of Political Science web site on a regular basis. This
up-to-date, central source of information will assist students in contacting
faculty and staff, reviewing course requirements and syllabi, exploring
graduate study, researching career options, tracking department events, and
accessing important details related to undergraduate programs and activities.
To reach the site, go to http://polisci.niu.edu

Incomplete Requests

Such petitions will be granted rarely and only in
extraordinary circumstances. The instructor reserves the right to ask for
documentation to verify the problem preventing completion of the course by the
normal deadlines. If the student does not present documentation from a
university office or official, the matter will be left to the instructor’s
discretion. All requests for incomplete must be submitted in writing to the
instructor by APRIL 28, 2006.
The written request must include the reason for the request and when the
incomplete will be completed.

Some Suggestions:

1. Class Preparation--The best
way to prepare for each class is to do the readings at least once (some require
more than one reading) prior to the first day we begin each unit.You will be much better able to participate
in discussion and to grasp the class discussions if you have done so.

2. Good Note Taking--Good note takingisimportant
to your success in this class.Learn to
listen carefully to the arguments made and write them down as best you can.
Review your notes after class to see if they make sense.By reviewing them soon after they are taken,
sometimes you can remember things that will make sense out of what is
confusing. Get together with other students periodically to go over one
another’s notes.If you got 50% of the
lecture and your study partners got 50%, perhaps between you, you will have
75%.What remains unclear can be
discussed with the instructor.Be sure
to write down the questions asked by the instructor and those asked by other
students.If you write down their
questions, as well as their answers, you will benefit.

3. Form study groups as soon as possible.

Course
Schedule:

* The following
schedule is meant to serve as a broad outline of the course.The instructor reserves the right to make
reasonable adjustments to the schedule if necessary.

1/18

Introduction:What is Liberal Education and how does the study of democracy in America
foster it?

Horace
Mann, “Go Forth and Teach,” July 4, 1842, RP p.181

Martin
Luther King, “The Purpose of Education,” 1948

I.What is
American democracy? How American ideas of democracy have both changed
and stayed the same over time.

1/20

A. Democracy in America before the Constitution:Tocqueville, Democracy in America
(DA) (1833), pp.31-49.

1/23

B. The Declaration of Independence:Lawler, pp.1-4.

1/25

C. At the Founding:Two kinds of “popular government” and the problem of “faction.”

1. How the Founders distinguished
between two kinds of popular governments: “democracy” and “republic.”Federalist #14 in Reading Packet (RP)
p.161; Federalist #63 in RP p. 60-61; Federalist #39 in
Lawler, pp.45-49.

1/27 QUIZ #1

2. The problem of “faction” in
“popular governments” and the Founders’ solution.

6.Are there any principled limits on the right
to vote consistent with democracy, in terms of either rights or practice?

a)DA
pp.197-203.

b)“The
Motor-voter Act,” (1994) Carol Moseley-Braun in RP pp.59-60.

2/27

7.Who/what should voters have a right to vote
for (directly)?

a)The
Constitution’s answer:they should be
able to vote for their representatives, but not directly for laws, RP p.
60-61.

1)Why was the Senate originally selected by state
legislatures and why was that changed by the 17th Amendment?Federalist Papers #63, Lawler
pp.84-86.

2)Why is the President elected through the
“Electoral College” rather than through “direct popular election”? U.S.
Constitution, Article II, Section 1, Clauses 2-4 and Amendment XII in
Lawler pp. 411-12, 418-19.

3)Why is the Supreme Court appointed rather than
elected? Federalist Papers#78, Lawler pp. 120-126.

3/1

b)The
Progressives’ answer:voters should be
able to legislate directly (initiative and

b)Chief
Justice Warren in Reynolds v. Sims (1964) in RP pp.70-76.Representation is secondary to and derivative
from voting rights and voting rights are understood essentially in light of the
Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

c)Dissent
by Justice Harlan in Reynolds v. Sims (1964) in RP 70-76.Denies there is any constitutional standard
for what constitutes just apportionment.

d)Important
terms:representative districts,
apportionment.

3/8REVIEW and
CATCH-UP

3/10MIDTERM EXAM. Be sure to bring BLUEBOOKS.

SPRINGBREAK 3/11 –
3/19

3/20 – 3/22

Hand Back and Discuss Midterm Exam

C.Separation of
Powers:

1.What
is separation of powers and why is it necessary?Federalist Papers #47 in Lawlerpp.21-27.

2.What
is separation of powers for?

a)To
secure liberty and protect us from tyranny.

1)Federalist Papers #48, #51, #71 in
Lawler pp.27-31, 34-38, 87-89.

2)Justice
Brandeis in Myers v. U.S. (1926) in RP pp.89-90.

3/24 QUIZ #7

b)To make possible an energetic
executive “independent” of the legislature.

5.Ronald
Reagan, “Remarks at an Ecumenical Breakfast,” August 23, 1984 in RP pp.105-108.

4/12

B. Women and democracy in America:

1.Tocqueville’s
view of women’s equality and its consequences for democracy.DA pp.287, 291, 590-603.

2. A contemporary view of women’s equality and its relation to
democracy.” Change: From What to What,” Keynote
speech by Barbara Jordan to the Democratic National Convention, July 1992 in RP
pp. 108-110.

4/14 – 4/17QUIZ #10

C. Citizenship:What makes one an American?Proposition 187 and the recent immigration debate.

1.Being
born here or being naturalized.U.S.
Constitution 14th Amendment, in Lawler pp.419-20.

4/28 (You should be forming study groups for the
Comprehensive final.)

F. Law-abidingness:Should I obey the law?

1.Remember
the Declaration of Independence?Can a political system founded on the right
of revolution successfully require law-abidingness?Or is lawlessness built into the foundational
principles of American political life?